Chine-Backed Flame Diverter for Rocket Systems

Abstract

Systems of chine-backed flame diverter for rocket systems are described. The chine-backed flame diverters can use a lower water supply pressure relative to the rocket exhaust plume impingement pressure. The chine-backed flame diverter systems can reduce operation costs and increase rigidity of the test stand structures.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A flame diverter configured to split and redirect an impinging rocket plume, the flame diverter comprising:
 a proximal end;   a distal end;   a first side portion extending from the proximal end to the distal end;   a second side portion extending from the proximal end to the distal end, the second side portion opposite the first side portion; and   a deflector surface with a generally curved profile, the deflector surface extending from the proximal end to the distal end, and extending from a first side portion bottom edge to a second side portion bottom edge, the deflector surface comprising:
 a V-shaped central portion, wherein,
 the V-shaped central portion is disposed longitudinally along a length of the deflector surface, 
 the V-shaped central portion is centered between the first side portion and the second side portion, 
 the V-shaped central portion has a maximum prominence at the proximal end, 
 the V-shaped central portion gradually diminishes in prominence along the length of the deflector surface, 
 the V-shaped central portion ends at a location along the length of the deflector surface between the proximal end and the distal end, and 
 the V-shaped central portion comprises: 
 a leading structure; 
 a first leg edge with a first leg bottom end connected to the first side portion bottom edge forming a first trough; 
 a second leg edge with a second leg bottom end connected to the second side portion bottom edge forming a second trough, and a second leg top end connected to a first leg top end, wherein the connection of the second leg top end to the first leg top end forms the leading edge; 
 
   wherein the first side portion, the second side portion, and the deflector surface are comprised of one or more first diameter pipes and one or more second diameter pipes, the second diameter pipes are centrally disposed on the deflector surface,   wherein the first diameter pipes and the second diameter pipes have holes configured to spray water and the first diameter pipes and the second diameter pipes are in fluid communication with one or more water supplies, and   wherein the leading structure is configured to split an impinging rocket plume such that the impinging rocket plume passes over the leading structure and into the first trough and second trough.   
     
     
         2 . The flame diverter of  claim 1 , wherein the maximum prominence is greater than or equal to a height of the first side portion and the second side portion. 
     
     
         3 . The flame diverter of  claim 1 , wherein the maximum prominence is less than or equal to a height of the first side portion and the second side portion. 
     
     
         4 . The flame diverter of  claim 1 , wherein the second diameter pipes have larger diameters than the first diameter pipes. 
     
     
         5 . The flame diverter of  claim 1 , wherein the second diameter pipes and the first diameter pipes have a same diameter. 
     
     
         6 . A flame diverter configured to split and redirect an impinging rocket plume, the flame diverter comprising:
 a proximal end;   a distal end; and   a deflector surface extending from the proximal end to the distal end, the deflector surface comprising:
 a V-shaped central portion, wherein the V-shaped central portion has a maximum prominence at the proximal end, and a minimum prominence at the distal end. 
   
     
     
         7 . The flame diverter of  claim 6 , wherein the deflector surface further comprises one or more pipes. 
     
     
         8 . The flame diverter of  claim 6 , wherein the deflector surface further comprises one or more pipes in fluid communication with one or more water supply pipes. 
     
     
         9 . The flame diverter of  claim 6 , wherein the deflector surface further comprises one or more holes, wherein the holes are configured to spray water. 
     
     
         10 . The flame diverter of  claim 6 , wherein the deflector surface further comprises one or more pipes of a large size and one or more pipes of a smaller size, and wherein the one or more pipes of the large size are centrally disposed on the deflector surface. 
     
     
         11 . The flame diverter of  claim 6 , wherein the deflector surface further comprises one or more pipes, and wherein an applied water pressure through the one or more pipes is higher in a center than on a first side and a second side of the deflector surface. 
     
     
         12 . The flame diverter of  claim 6 , wherein the deflector surface further comprises a plurality of holes, and wherein the plurality of holes has a higher density in a center portion of the deflector surface than a first side and a second side of the defector surface. 
     
     
         13 . The flame diverter of  claim 6 , wherein the deflector surface has a generally curved profile. 
     
     
         14 . The flame diverter of  claim 6 , wherein the distal end of the deflector surface is above a horizontal line. 
     
     
         15 . The flame diverter of  claim 6 , wherein the flame diverter further comprises a first side portion and a second side portion, wherein the first and second side portions each connect at end portions to the proximal end and the distal end, and wherein the first and second side portions each connect at bottom portions to the deflector surface. 
     
     
         16 . The flame diverter of  claim 15 , wherein the V-shaped central portion comprises a central edge, a first leg portion, and a second leg portion, wherein the first and second leg portions meet with each other to form the central edge, the first leg portions meets with the first bottom portion of the first side portion to form a first trough, and the second leg portion meets with the second bottom portion of the second side portion to form a second trough. 
     
     
         17 . The flame diverter of  claim 15 , wherein the maximum prominence of the V-shaped central portion is greater than or equal to a height of the first side portion. 
     
     
         18 . The flame diverter of  claim 15 , wherein the maximum prominence of the V-shaped central portion is less than or equal to a height of the first side portion. 
     
     
         19 . The flame diverter of  claim 6 , wherein the minimum prominence of the V-shaped central portion is zero. 
     
     
         20 . A flame diverter configured to split and redirect an impinging rocket plume, the flame diverter comprising:
 a proximal end;   a distal end; and   a deflector surface extending from the proximal end to the distal end, the deflector surface comprising:
 a leading structure, the leading structure positioned between a first trough and a second trough, the leading structure configured to split an impinging rocket plume such that the impinging rocket plume passes over the leading structure and into the first trough and second trough.